Chapter 59 – Hundred-Man Slaughter

Meanwhile, at that moment.

In the conference room of the Association headquarters, Korea’s highest-rank Awakeners had gathered with grave expressions.

Association Head Lee Hyeonseong asked again, as if unable to believe the news brought by Sun Guild Bishop James Lee.

“Is it truly true?”

“…It’s true. It really is.”

The news that incidents similar to Kim Cheoljung transforming into a monster during the Heavenly Palace Tournament promising candidate division preliminaries had occurred elsewhere.

James Lee played the evidence videos he had gathered.

“A similar incident happened to the Awakeners of Silla, a satellite guild of our Sun Guild.”

In the multiple split-screen videos, different Awakeners were being covered in black slime, and then at a certain moment, scenes unfolded where the images around them seemed to overlap into one.

Click.

James stopped the video right at that scene and elaborated.

“As you can see, those who were about to transform into monsters were all caught in overlapping phases before causing an incident.”

“That’s not all. The moment the phases overlapped, they all died from an extreme thrust.”

Jang Wei, representing the Heaven-Slaying Guild, added.

It would have been difficult to discern from the video alone due to the overlapping images from multiple spaces, but he had identified their deaths with his exceptional insight.

“Indeed, the Heaven-Slaying Guild is the best at killing, so you noticed it well. That’s correct. They were already dead at this point.”

With words that were either sarcastic or praise, James resumed the video.

Click.

The next scene followed.

The appearance of transforming into a perfect monster, triggered by the host’s death.

Then, the monster merging into one within the overlapping phase, changing into a Void Lord in the form of King Munmu, followed by the scene of it being swallowed and disappearing in a myriad colors of light.

Gale Guild Master Kang Taepung reacted to the Void Lord’s form.

“Come to think of it, Kim Cheoljung also changed into King Munmu’s form at some point.”

“Yes. I assume it’s the same type of existence as the monster Mr. Kang Taepung saw.”

Although Kang Taepung was not yet classified as a highest-rank Awakener and thus originally ineligible to participate in this meeting, he was able to attend as the person in charge of the preliminaries where the Void Lord appeared.

With Kang Taepung’s testimony confirming that the incident at the preliminaries venue and the Silla Guild incident were the same single event, a white-haired man who looked like a sage, who had been listening quietly, shook his head.

It was Baek Junyeong, the guild master of Seven Star, a satellite guild of Polaris.

“At first, it seemed like an amorphous monster that gains form upon meeting certain conditions.”

Baek Junyeong was the father of the Baek Seongjae and Baek Woohyeon brothers, a 9-Star Awakener who had chosen the North Star Constellation.

“But that alone doesn’t seem serious enough for us to gather like this. Is there another reason?”

Following that, 9-Star Awakener Yoo Mirae, the Korea Branch Head of the Shining Guild, also pointed out with a cool-headed attitude that there must be more to uncover.

She was Yu Sehee’s mother.

As if waiting for that, James solemnly revealed the revelation received from the Sun Constellation when the Hollow Specter appeared.

“According to the great Sun’s revelation, when that monster appeared, the 7-Star Spirit King Munmu Kim Beopmin, who belongs to the Sun, completely vanished from existence beneath the Sun.”

“What?”

“The Spirit was stolen?!”

The entire conference room buzzed at James’s statement.

The theft of a Spirit was that shocking of a fact.

“Yes, and we also received some information about the identity of that monster.”

“It’s the same for us as well.”

As James was about to continue explaining the Hollow Specter’s identity, Jang Wei cut in and took over.

“They said it’s a Void monster belonging to Heresy. The initial amorphous monster is called the Hollow Specter, and the state after stealing a Spirit and taking its form is called the Void Lord.”

“While the enemy’s identity is important, what’s more crucial for us is how to deal with them.”

The other meeting attendees listened quietly to James and Jang Wei, who spoke alternately as if competing.

They too had each received revelations from the Constellations they served, but the Sun and Heaven-Slaying guilds, which have Apostles, would have received more information through revelations.

“First, if one Spirit is stolen, all contractors of that Spirit turn into Hollow Specters, as happened in this incident. And this time too, if the newly created Hollow Specters hadn’t been killed immediately by someone, the Spirits they had contracted with would also have been stolen, exponentially increasing the damage.”

“So, Awakeners who have turned into Hollow Specters must be killed as quickly as possible. Before the Spirits they contracted with are swallowed by the Void and annihilated.”

At that moment, Jin Taeseong, who was also seated in the conference room, asked a question.

“Is there any way to revert an Awakener who has turned into a Hollow Specter?”

“We did not receive any revelation about such a method.”

The answer was negative, but questions poured in one after another, triggered by the first question.

“Has the direct reason for the annihilation of the King Munmu Spirit been identified?”

“From what I heard through revelation, it started when Kim Hongsik’s King Munmu was stolen by the Hollow Specter that first appeared in the Underground.”

“It seems the Hollow Specter monster absorbs Starlight. How should we deal with it?”

Kang Taepung stepped forward regarding the question about the Hollow Specter subjugation method.

“The answer is already out.”

He brought and played the video of the preliminaries Group A match, showing the Void Lord subjugation method.

“Attacks using Starlight don’t work, so we counter with an ability that also absorbs Starlight. That’s it.”

“But then, those without absorption abilities won’t be able to face Hollow Specters.”

“If you don’t have the ability, you should stay away.”

Yoo Mirae, who had asked the question, seemed offended by Kang Taepung’s blunt tone, but she didn’t argue further, knowing he was right.

Considering the danger of Hollow Specters, stepping forward without the ability would only mass-produce casualties.

“Indeed, rather than risking having their Spirits stolen and endangering other contractors, it’s better to focus on evasion.”

“In the Hollow Specter state, evasion doesn’t seem that difficult, so as long as one doesn’t recklessly provoke them, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“The problem is that we need to disseminate this information as quickly as possible. If someone among those in the Underground provokes a Hollow Specter and gets caught, wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

After that, opinions on countermeasures against Hollow Specters continued back and forth.

Since everyone agreed on the danger of Hollow Specters, the meeting progressed unusually quickly.

As a result, the revealed information about Hollow Specters and the prepared response guidelines were disseminated worldwide in an instant through various channels, including the Dark Web.

* * *

While the outside world was in an uproar over the news about Hollow Specters, those targeting the Heavenly Demon Medallion didn’t pay much attention to it.

Whether Hollow Specters appeared or not, seizing the Heavenly Demon Medallion was their priority.

And now, as the time for revealing the next Heavenly Demon Medallion’s location was approaching.

In the Reverse World, Lee Hanseong, who had just acquired Primordial Chaos Gang Qi, rose to his feet.

“Feeling a bit better?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Yu Sehee, who had stayed by his side the entire time Lee Hanseong was focused inward, was relieved to see him looking somewhat revitalized.

“What happened that made you so drained?”

“The Lord of the Throne fell asleep.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, I haven’t seen the Lord of the Throne’s Projection since earlier.”

“So, about that, I think we need to change the plan a bit.”

Yu Sehee showed curiosity at the mention of changing the plan.

“How?”

“To wake the Lord of the Throne even a day sooner, just safely scheming behind the Black Curtain isn’t enough.”

I’m done hiding.

“You’re going to… step forward yourself?”

“Yeah. And I’m stepping forward alone. Feats grow larger when achieved alone rather than by many.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he unfolded a Spatial Connection and opened a door leading to the formation where Baekto was.

To retrieve the real Heavenly Demon Medallion hidden in Baekto’s shadow.

Yu Sehee grabbed Lee Hanseong, who was about to leave the Reverse World.

Her face was contorted.

“Hey. You’re going to step forward alone?”

“……?”

“Are you the only Devotee of the Lord of the Throne? I’m also a Devotee of the Lord of the Throne! So why are you trying to do everything alone?”

“Because it’s more efficient. If you really want to help, you should also aim to achieve feats separately…”

Slap!

His cheek was struck.

“Who do you think is saying this because they don’t know that? I’m stopping you because I’m worried about you. Do you think the Lord of the Throne would be happy if you died?”

“……”

As Yu Sehee spoke with tearful eyes, Lee Hanseong finally realized how he must have appeared.

Like someone who, frustrated by the Constellation falling asleep, was throwing himself into danger in a self-destructive manner.

“Whoa. I have no intention of dying either.”

“Even if you, with your 2nd Stage Transcendence, no, even using Eightfold Annihilation to reach 3rd Stage Transcendence and the power of Legendary Equipment to defeat a 7-Star Spirit. Still, that’s only one or two at most. What will you do when the Transcendence duration ends?”

“So, I need to build up my foundational strength.”

To reassure Yu Sehee, he showed the strength improvement method he had already conceived.

First, simultaneously activating the Eight Gates Evasion technique, Eightfold Annihilation, and the Dark Heart’s <Dark Hole>.

Gooooooo!

He adjusted his energy to maintain the highest level of Starlight within the 4-Star range by balancing the Starlight within his body.

And with his Synchronization Rate with Non Smith raised to 200%, he used the steel gauntlets to Refine the Demon Armor he had created when he completed 2-Star.

Sacrificing one of his three remaining Life Stacks.

Clatter clatter!

A Demon Armor containing motion correction effects, allowing him to substitute for the effect of the Awakening Skill 《Perfect Body Control》 even without activating it.

The armor’s form somehow resembled the Sword Demon’s full-body armor he had seen in a dream.

‘With this, the minimum foundation to mimic the Sword Demon’s movements is created.’

If he wore this Demon Armor and wielded the Sword Demon’s Swordsmanship with a demon sword, he would have enough chance of victory even against a 5-Star.

Furthermore, using Primordial Chaos Gang Qi, which could turn even the opponent’s power into his own, like King Munmu’s Three Extremes Achieving Origin, he could barely reach up to 6-Star.

If he unleashed Transcendence, he could even face a 7-Star.

If he used the Gluttonous Demon Sword as a starting weapon and fused it with the Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword to form the Devouring Heaven Demon Sword, he could continuously extend the Transcendence duration by devouring the opponent’s power with Devouring Heaven.

Unless it was Consecutive Transcendence, for basic Transcendence, he could use it almost without time limits.

Of course, even with his specs raised this high, he would still be in danger if several Mid-Rank Awakeners launched a Combined Attack against him.

“But there’s a way to avoid Combined Attacks using the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s precepts.”

“You… are you going to challenge the Hundred-Man Slaughter?”

“Correct.”

In the past, when the Heavenly Slaughter Demon Lord’s Star Rank was low, he went on a Duel journey against Awakeners with higher Star Ranks.

At that time, most of China’s High-Rank Awakeners were practically outlaws, so even if he was a contractor of a 12-Star Apostle, they ignored him.

But after the Heavenly Slaughter Demon Lord defeated a hundred strong opponents in a hundred Life-and-Death Duels, no one could ignore him.

The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult revered this Demon Lord’s deeds and established a precept called the Hundred-Man Slaughter.

Under the observation of Heavenly Demon Divine Cult devotees, a challenger of the Hundred-Man Slaughter undergoes a hundred consecutive Life-and-Death Duels without external interference.

Since the opponents in the Life-and-Death Duels consist solely of those with higher Star Rank than the challenger, it’s a test where death is highly likely midway.

“That’s too dangerous!”

“No reward comes without risk.”

Overcoming this would also be another opportunity to immediately become the owner of a Heavenly Demon Medallion.

“Trust me. I will definitely return alive.”

“Sigh, fine. But before you go, at least fill up your Narrow Escape from Death stacks.”

Without refusing Yu Sehee’s suggestion, he individually applied the leftover opportunity from the group Transcendence Mirinae had used earlier to her.

Whoosh!

Yu Sehee, whose Grade inflated to 4-Star, activated her Fifth Awakening Skill, Light of Resurrection.

Shalala—

Bathed in the Light of Resurrection, the consumed Life Stacks began to refill one by one.

The lives, which had decreased to two, filled up beyond nine to ten.

Nine from Narrow Escape from Death, plus one extra life from <Two Hearts>.

“Then, I’ll really go now.”

“Win and come back.”

Nod.

Lee Hanseong, fully prepared, crossed the open passageway, leaving Yu Sehee behind.

* * *

After retrieving the real Heavenly Demon Medallion from Baekto’s shadow and sending Baekto to the real Jin Yuseong, Lee Hanseong quietly waited for the Heavenly Demon Medallion location reveal time.

“Now.”

And at the location reveal time, he dispelled the formation that had been hiding him.

Pssssst!

Numerous Perception and Divination-type abilities observed Lee Hanseong, who had boldly revealed himself.

Not long after, numerous Mid-Rank Awakeners swarmed to his location.

At their forefront were the Evil Spirits of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“Lee Hanseong! You were here!”

“Hand over the Heavenly Demon Medallion!”

Lee Hanseong looked around at the Mid-Rank Awakeners surrounding him from all sides and opened his mouth.

While activating Six Harmonies Communication.

I, Lee Hanseong, challenge the Heavenly Demon’s Hundred-Man Slaughter. The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, uphold the precept.

At Lee Hanseong’s declaration, the crowd that was about to attack him had no choice but to stop.

Clack clack clack clack clack!

Ten Evil Spirit Masks of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult surrounded Lee Hanseong as if protecting him.

“A challenger for the Hundred-Man Slaughter has appeared. From now on, only one-on-one Life-and-Death Duels are permitted. Those who violate this, even if they obtain the Heavenly Demon Medallion, will not receive the Heavenly Demon’s recognition. Those who will test the challenger, line up.”

And with the Evil Spirit captain’s proclamation that followed, Lee Hanseong’s Hundred-Man Slaughter began.